Abstract
This study geographically describes the greeting expressions and behavior in Japan, which vary according to dialects. The questionnaire consisted of 11 parts with 88 questions about Japanese daily greeting expressions. Fieldwork was done in each Japanese prefecture from 1994 to 2000, followed by a postal survey from 1997 to 2000 using the same questionnaire. A sample result showed that when family members in urban areas speak to each other after getting up in the morning, they use the expression Ohayo-gozaimasu. However, this expression is not heard in rural locations. The use of this expression depended on the use of separate rooms in the urban areas. However, old houses in rural areas have rooms divided simply by paper screens with wood frames called Shoji or Karakami. This makes it natural for family members not to use courtesy expressions during their first meeting every morning. After the 1960s, however, changes occured. In conclusion, the author believes that the interpretation of the greeting expressions, related to changes in social life, becomes increasingly important. Also a dynamic view and sense should connect the atlas with changes in human life.
